William Hill Smith Jr. went to be with the Lord on January 17, 2010 at St. Lukes Hospital, Columbus.
Born on January 7, 1920 in Charlotte, N.C., to William Hill Smith and Mary Esther DeArmon Smith, “Bill” attended Charlotte public schools and graduated from Tri-State University, Angola, Ind. with a degree in electrical engineering. In 1941 he married Virginia Ruth McCauley and in l945 they moved to Greensboro, N.C., where Bill joined Southern Electric Service Co., Inc,.founded by his father. In l948 he transferred to the Spartanburg, S.C., plant and in 1971 to the companys headquarters in Charlotte. Bill retired from the company as chairman, and lived in Seabrook Island, S.C. and Tryon.
Mr. Smith was active in Rotary International, the Presbyterian Church, and the South Carolina State Cripple Childrens Society. He was an avid sportsman hunting big game in Canada, Alaska, and India. Bill loved the opportunities that hunting afforded him to spend time with his sons and grandsons. He was also an excellent photographer, a licensed pilot, and traveled extensively around the world with Virginia.
Surviving in addition to his wife are: two sons, William Hill Smith III “Trey” (Louise) of Mooresville, N.C., and George Gregory “Greg” Smith (Carol) of Greensboro, N.C. Eight grandchildren, Virginia Smith Matthews (Grady); W. Hill Smith IV (Phyllis); G. Gregory Smith Jr. (Janet); B. Stuart Smith (Breeze); W. Barrow Smith (Cammy); Landon Smith; Chandler Smith and Gracyn Smith. He had 12 great-grandchildren. Also surviving him is his brother Grady Bernard Smith (Shirley) of Charlotte.
A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 in Tryon Presbyterian Church, Tryon, with Dr. Dent C. Davis III officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Lukes Hospital and ACTS Home Health Care for their love and care during Mr. Smiths illness.
Memorials may be made to St. Lukes Hospital, 101 Hospital Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722 or to the Tryon Presbyterian Church, 430 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, N.C. 28782.
An on-line guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.
McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.